Starbucks and the anti-gay Willow Creek Community Church

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz cancelled an appearance at one of the most prominent megachurches in the U.S. after an online petition from Change.org condemned the followers as anti-gay. Schultz had been scheduled to speak at The Global Leadership Summit organized by the Willow Creek Association, based in South Barrington, Ill. The petition accused the megachurch of “anti-gay persecution” over Willow Creek’s past relationship with Exodus International, a Christian ministry that believes gays and lesbians can change their sexual orientation. Willow Creek cut ties with Exodus in 2009, church spokeswoman Susan DeLay said.